THE parish council in Kirkby-in-Cleveland held a virtual meeting held on April 26

Village matters. – The Spring village tidy up session has been scheduled for Saturday, May 22. The usual extra street sweep will be requested and people are asked to meet up at the crossroads at 9.30am. Social distancing will be observed but if preferred people should work independently around the front of their own property. The usual equipment will be available but people may prefer to use their own. The extra grit bin has been installed at the top of Hill Road and the 30mph signs have been obtained and will be fixed in position shortly. The drains from the entrance to Dromonby Hall to the entrance to Dromonby Hall Farm continue to be blocked even though the gullies were cleared. It was agreed to arrange a site visit with Area 2 Thirsk in order to explain the problem and try to find a solution. After contact with Great Broughton Parish Council regarding the proposed refurbishment of the playpark shared by both villages it was agreed to offer a contribution of £2,500 towards the purchase of new equipment. A possible increase to the regular contribution to the upkeep of the playpark will be discussed next time the precept is being set. The Tree Protection Orders requested have been refused due to the poor condition of the trees in question. Kirkby Church Hall has been booked for the annual parish meeting on May 24 in order to comply with the Covid regulations for indoor meetings.

Police matters. – The police sent a written report on which one incident of fraud was recorded. They are reminding all residents to be vigilant for scam phone calls in relation to National Insurance numbers. The calls usually claim that the NI number has been compromised and that a fee is required for a new number. Never provide personal information over the phone. Hang up immediately. Calls of this nature should be reported to the police by calling 101. Questions regarding the occupancy of caravans on Toft Hill Caravan Park during the lockdown period have been answered satisfactorily with all residents complying with Covid regulations.

Planning. – The parish council had no objections to planning applications 21/00659/FUL – revised application for new entrance, conversion of garage to ancillary accommodation and new roof at Safari, Kirkby Lane, and 21/00816/FUL and 21/00817/LBC for demolition of existing timber garage with a new build stone garage and pellet store, existing roof repairs and internal reconfiguration of existing loft space at Dromonby Farm House, Busby Lane. Planning application 21/00002/FUL for proposed front, rear and side ground floor extensions at 3 Busby Lane has been granted and the appeal against refusal by Hambleton District Council of planning application No. 17/02687/OUT outline application for the construction of a mixed use B1, B2/B8 development and associated parking and access at land south of Bridge House, Station Road, Stokesley has been dismissed.

Hambleton District Council has confirmed that works at the field below Toft Hill Caravan Park are in breach of conditions imposed in the granting of a planning application in 2010 and they have taken this up with the owners. The requirements of an enforcement order at ProDrive on Station Road have not been complied with and a local resident is taking this up with Hambleton District Council.

Finance. – No payments have been made since the last meeting. Payment was approved for Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (YLCA) annual subscription, hire of Church Hall, grass cutting and printing ink and paper. The bank balance was confirmed as £10,548.59 as at April 1, 2021. Regarding the annual audit, exempt status was declared and it was agreed to ask Ann Bransby to conduct the internal audit.

Correspondence. – A consultation regarding remote meetings has been received from YLCA. These are not allowed after May 6 but the parish council consider they can be useful in certain circumstances and will respond accordingly. Offers of dog fouling signs and take litter home signs have been received. Places where dog fouling signs would be useful will be checked and if necessary signs requested. It was felt that take litter home signs were not needed as there was usually very little litter on the two village tidy \up sessions in the year. It was agreed that unnecessary signage on lampposts within the village should be avoided. Notification has been received that community speedwatch sessions can now re-commence under current Covid regulations. However more volunteers are required if this is to happen. A notice will be put in the next church newsletter asking for volunteers.

Date of next meeting. – Monday, May 24. Parish council meeting at 7pm and annual parish meeting 8pm in Kirkby Church Hall (main hall) in line with Covid regulations for indoor meetings. All residents welcome.